1 Life, 24 Months, No Regrets

Fuel for the 14er

My flight to Denver is 1 week from today and my life long friend Kirsten and I hike the Gray and Torrey’s peak the next day, Saturday, September 3rd.

I have been shopping all week for supplies and have just about everything I need for the hike, but I wanted to make something homemade to take with me to keep my energy up.

We are starting the hike very early in the morning, so it’s up to me to pack the food and water I will need for the day. I have Cliff Bars and Jelly Beans that have electrolytes, but I also wanted to make my own energy balls.

Today I am going to share a recipe for a condensed form of energy. They are all natural, gluten-free and delicious. In my opinion, it tastes like chocolate chip cookie dough. They are great for kids before or after practices and activities too.

Chocolate Chip Energy balls (makes about 18-20 depending on size)

2/3 c. Cashews

3 Tbsp. ground flax

1 Tbsp Chia seed

2 scoops (I used the scoop in the package) of good vanilla protein

2 Tbsp. maple syrup

2 Tbsp. Better’n Peanut Butter (you can use regular peanut butter but since I already had several high calorie ingredients, I like to use this instead. It only has 100 calories and 2 g. fat per 2 Tbsp. serving)

1-2 Tbsp. water

3 Tbsp. mini chocolate chips

You will need a food processor or a good blender. I use my food processor all the time to make salsa, hummus, pesto, and these energy balls. The other day I used it to chop my vegetables for my soup. It is one of my favorite kitchen tools.

Add the cashews in your food processor until they are ground fine. Transfer to a bowl and add the flax, chia, protein powder, maple syrup and Better’n Peanut Butter.

It will look something like this at this stage.

Add 1 Tbsp of water and if that is not enough and 1 more until it looks like cookie dough.

Fold in your mini chocolate chips. Make small balls about half the size of a golf ball.

Store in the refrigerator and use anytime.

My kids love these and they are much healthier than cookie dough…and in my opinion, taste just as good.

I will be taking many of these in my camelback to keep my energy up throughout the hike.